Gab. Ithuriel, since we two commissioned are
From heaven the guardians of this new made pair,
Each mind his charge; for, see, the night draws on,
And rising mists pursue the setting sun.

Ithu. Blest is our lot to serve; our task we know: 
To watch, lest any, from the abyss below
Broke loose, disturb their sleep with dreams; or worse,
Assault their beings with superior force.
                                     [URIEL flies down from the Sun.

Uriel. Gabriel, if now the watch be set, prepare,
With strictest guard, to shew thy utmost care. 
This morning came a spirit, fair he seemed,
Whom, by his face, I some young cherub deemed;
Of man he much inquired, and where his place,
With shews of zeal to praise his Maker’s grace;
But I, with watchful eyes, observed his flight,
And saw him on yon steepy mount alight;
There, as he thought, unseen, he laid aside
His borrowed mask, and re-assumed his pride: 
I marked his looks, averse to heaven and good;
Dusky he grew, and long revolving stood
On some deep, dark design; thence shot with haste,
And o’er the mounds of Paradise he past: 
By his proud port, he seemed the Prince of Hell;
And here he lurks in shades ’till night:  Search well
Each grove and thicket, pry in every shape,
Lest, hid in some, the arch hypocrite escape.

Gab. If any spirit come to invade, or scout
From hell, what earthy fence can keep him out? 
But rest secure of this, he shall be found,
And taken, or proscribed this happy ground.

Ithu. Thou to the east, I westward walk the round, And meet we in the midst.

Uriel. Heaven your design
Succeed; your charge requires you, and me mine.
                    [URIEL flies forward out of sight; the two Angels
                     exeunt severally.

A Night-piece of a pleasant Bower: ADAM and EVE asleep in it.

Enter LUCIFER.

Lucif. So, now they lie secure in love, and steep
Their sated senses in full draughts of sleep. 
By what sure means can I their bliss invade? 
By violence?  No, for they are immortal made. 
Their reason sleeps, but mimic fancy wakes,
Supplies her part, and wild ideas takes,
From words and things, ill sorted and misjoined;
The anarchy of thought, and chaos of the mind: 
Hence dreams, confused and various, may arise;
These will I set before the woman’s eyes;
The weaker she, and made my easier prey;
Vain shows and pomp the softer sex betray.
                    [LUCIFER sits down by EVE, and seems to whisper
                     in her ear.